AIRPORTS

The California Department of Transportation, Division of Aeronautics, has jurisdiction over commercial airports, public airports, and heliports (helicopters) and requires a state-issued permit for airport operations. The State Aeronautics Act, Public Utilities Code (PUC) section 21001 et seq., is the foundation for the Department's aviation policies. This office inspects runway conditions, landing lights, runway markings, runway length, number of parking spaces for consumers, facility conditions, and the physical layout of the airport. The Division of Aeronautics inspects approximately 255 public-use airports and 30 commercial airliner airports across the state.

Complaints regarding aircraft, air space, and pilots are the jurisdiction of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).